Lightfest is when the Idenians celebrate the god whose initial creative energy is said to have given form to their world. It is a new year, a time to invite renewal and an attempt at making things right. It is the time of rekindled hope that the coming year is when we at last will accomplish our dreams, whether that be to find love or to take over the kingdom. Y’know, to each their own.
It is also a time to celebrate that gift with which the gods blessed all sentient beings; for Light and his divine fellows were not only creative in their work, but they gifted the people of the world with the power of creativity as well. And what a wondrous gift and a fearful responsibility it is.
In our world, we may not be able to manifest the power of our consciousness as magic to protect and heal our loved ones, to provide light, or to hurt our foes, but we might as well be. We are all blessed with the responsibility and freedom of creativity. If you struggle to draw or write or play an instrument, you may not feel this includes you. But creativity goes beyond the arts. Every day we have a choice in how we carry ourselves, what we strive for, and perhaps most importantly, how we treat others. To break out of routine, to do the unexpected, to follow your heart even if other people put you down, to take a risk – all of this requires creativity. The ways in which we express our love for others, and share the uniqueness of our personal story, is often limited most strongly by the restraints we put on ourselves. But each day we have the choice to make the world a little bit better – or worse. We can send someone an unexpected gift, even if it just be a compliment. Or we could anonymously attack people for the things they love and how they live.
Cultivating the creativity of kindness may seem awkward and unnatural at first. “I can’t tell that guy how much I love his drawings – that’s just so random!” “I can’t go talk to that girl no one ever talks to. Because people… just… don’t!” But just as an artist must practice with any new media before making a masterpiece, so too must we stretch our muscles and practice every day before it feels natural. And the multitude of our tiny brushstrokes of generosity may not seem to make anything coherent, just like putting our nose up to a painting; but viewed from a distance they may create something beautiful.
The Idenians believe this and remind themselves of it on Lightfest. That is why it is considered a time of kindness and giving, and they have songs and myths and stories to the effect. (Cyril would gladly share some with you.) While it has evolved over time into somewhat of a commercialized affair – although admittedly not on the scale of the Black Friday battles we endure – the original ideal of giving presents made by the hand and heart still endures for many. It is a time not only to thank the gods, but to realize the responsibility that each mortal holds. The gods may have started the story, but it continues in the mortal world.
It is as hard for the people of Idenau to live up to those ideals as for us, of course. But Lightfest reminds them to try harder, at least for a while. Until they, like we, forget again. But one day, once more we will be reminded.
I’m sure we all wish we live in a world where evil could be predictably thwarted by a hero, and where that evil was hardly so bad in the first place. I’d love for our world’s headlines of horrors to be replaced with “Princess Kidnapped – Again!” Idenau has its share of problems – just ask the guy who was cursed for something his great-grandfather did – but nevertheless it’s a place I would like to visit. Victor and I hope it provides you the happiness of escapism, but that there is something you can take from it back to our world as well. Perhaps dealing with pirates or sneaking into a castle are not relative scenarios to your life, but especially as the story goes on, we hope you’ll see the more universal themes of family, friendship, and other things that we have come to value and want to explore shining through ever more.
It is the sincere hope of Victor and I that you enjoy the story we’re telling, and that it brings a smile to your face. Whether you check back every update or once a month (or rarer than that); whether you’ve never commented or whether you knew us from college or whether you found us from an ad or have become a new friend, we appreciate you. We are so grateful and wish you all the best.
Bright Lightfest,
-C and V
Bright Lightfest.
…this was really sweet…I kind of needed this?
Bright Lightfest to you all.
:,) We love your Courtney and Victor!
Bright Lightfest!
(We love *YOU. Bah typos.)
It’s nice to know that somebody‘s willing to make bright, hopeful stories!
your absolutely right. God did gives us creativity in our decisions. he gave us free will. We can use our decisions for good, we can use them for evil. But ultimately, we (yes, we) all have sinned and betrayed our God. We were in a debt we could never repay, doomed to suffer forever in a vain attempt to repay a debt the could not be fulfilled. fortunately for us, God sent his Son to suffer for us and die on a cross. The slaughtering of a sinless human was enough to repay our debts for us. now that the Son, Jesus, has earned us forgiveness, all we have to do is accept it. it’s literally that simple. so, how will you repay your debts?
Bright Lightfest
Bright Lightfest, and I hope you guys have a wonderful year.
Bright Lightfest to you, I hope you have an excellent year, and thank you so much for this comic
It is so mushy, but still a great message overall. I hope you all had a great holiday season and wish you an excellent year to come.
I’m the mushiest, Falx dear, just the mushiest. Be careful you don’t step in me.
I wish you the same!
Thank you for this. Not long after I read your message, I found this. http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/309485-nobody-tells-this-to-people-who-are-beginners-i-wish
I rarely (actually, never) comment, but I think the point of your message (which I’m sure is specific to my situation) is that we should step out of our comfort zones a little bit? Am I like finding my creativity right now? Maybe? No? Yeah, I may be a little off base with my analysis of what you said, but I do really appreciate it!
Bright (belated) Lightfest!
Yeah, stepping out of your comfort zone was a big part of it. And also that I think creativity is key to human life – well, creativity is the driver of the universe, actually, just look at nature… but specifically for us, we think creativity is just making art or something, when really it’s the universal principle of solving problems, being courageous and being an individual. Being the person that has never before existed in the universe, and expressing that person’s story.
But yeah, I think it’s important to just go for it. Like the old saying attributed to Confucius, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Often getting yourself to sit down and start writing/drawing/learning an instrument, and then practicing after that, can be very hard. It may take you a long time to get where you’re going (heck, I think I’m kind of a late bloomer, artistically – I see people years younger than me for whom drawing seems much easier), but you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t try.
I’ve also heard that quote before, or something like it. It’s true that if your creations seem insufficient to you now, it’s only because you’re capable of sensing that you could be doing even better. This may never go away, actually – I know some VERY talented artists who remain hard on themselves. But it’s better than being egotistical and complacent. Some people settle and seem to think there’s nothing more they could learn.
It’s always time for Lightfest! And feel free to comment more anytime!